14 October 2025
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Mango exports fail to keep pace with rising production

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM
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Mango exports fail to keep pace with rising production
  Bangla Press Desk: Despite growing demand in the international market, Bangladesh’s mango exports remain stagnant compared to production, mainly due to poor packaging, limited air cargo space, high freight charges, and inadequate branding of local varieties, industry insiders say. While mango farming is becoming more profitable than many other crops, the country’s export volume has not kept pace with rising production. According to data from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Bangladesh produced 24.5 lakh tonnes of mangoes in FY 2023–24 but exported only 1,321 tonnes. In comparison, during the fiscal year 2022–23, Bangladesh produced 27.07 lakh tonnes of mangoes and exported 3,100 tonnes.
In FY 2021–22, the production was 23.50 lakh tonnes, with exports totaling 1,757 tonnes. In FY 2020–21, mango production stood at 25 lakh tonnes, while exports were only 791 tonnes. The country produced 24.68 lakh tonnes of mangoes in FY 2019–20 but exported just 279 tonnes. In FY 2018–19, production reached 22.29 lakh tonnes, with 308 tonnes exported. In FY 2017–18, mango production was 23.72 lakh tonnes and exports were 231 tonnes. In FY 2016–17, the country produced 21.43 lakh tonnes of mangoes and exported 309 tonnes. This year, about 50,000 tonnes of improved-quality mangoes are expected to be produced, with a target of exporting 5,000 tonnes, said Mohammad Arifur Rahman, director of the DAE’s Exportable Mango Production Project.
As of Thursday, 1,150 tonnes of mangoes had been exported to various countries, with the UK receiving the highest volume—354 tonnes. “We’re unable to export sufficient quantities due to high airfares and limited cargo space,” Rahman said. Currently, Bangladeshi mangoes are exported to at least 38 countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Canada. The 2024 mango export season began on 18 May unofficially and officially on 28 May, with a production target of 2.7 million tonnes from 205,034 hectares.
Razia Sultana, owner of Global Trade Link, a major mango exporter, echoed the concerns. “Biman Bangladesh Airlines has increased freight charges in phases. It was Tk310 per kg initially, then Tk350, and now exceeds Tk400 per kg. Foreign carriers followed suit. Indian exporters enjoy about one dollar lower freight costs than us, making Indian mangoes more competitive in the UK market.” Amrapali, one of the most in-demand varieties in the UK, accounts for about 75% of Bangladesh’s mango exports there. However, India also exports Amrapali at a lower price, gaining a clear advantage. Exporters also blamed the prioritisation of ready-made garments (RMG) over perishable goods in cargo space allocation. “In India, air cargo space is reserved for perishables during the season, but in Bangladesh, RMG products get top priority,” Razia added. She urged authorities to reserve cargo space for mango exports during the three-month peak season.
Mangoes are available from April to July, with peak harvesting occurring in May and June. In 2023, Bangladesh exported mangoes to more than 36 countries. Export volumes in 2023 included 1,385 tonnes of mangoes shipped to the United States. Italy received 344.31 tonnes, while Saudi Arabia imported 310.77 tonnes. The United Arab Emirates received 148.64 tonnes, and France imported 93.51 tonnes. Germany imported 77.25 tonnes, followed by Sweden with 71.92 tonnes. Canada received 45.42 tonnes, Bahrain 30.32 tonnes, and Oman 27.38 tonnes. Kuwait imported a total of 251.68 tonnes of Bangladeshi mangoes. Other destinations included Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Turkey, and India. While Amrapali enjoys strong global demand, exporters say local premium varieties like Himsagar and Haribhanga also need international branding and promotion. “Due to weak marketing of these local varieties, we are falling behind in the global mango export market,” Razia said. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
 
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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